I have not grown citrus indoors but I can tell you that an 8" pot sounds WAY
too small for a nearly three foot tall citrus. And it appears that you may
be overfertilizing. I have found that plants typically do not like to be
messed with when they are flowering--adding a fertilizer spike during this
time would not be my choice.

It is important to follow the directions on fertilizer packages. Fertilizer
salts build up in the soil and will burn the roots. The softened water
would just make the situation worse. I would suggest that you stop
concentrating so much on the fruit and put more emphasis on growing a
healthy plant; repot the tree in a 12" pot with fresh potting soil;
fertilize according to the directions on the package. If your tree is
healthy and happy then you should get plenty of fruit.

Others will chime in with better info specific to citrus. Good luck. There
is nothing like the perfume of a citrus tree in full bloom!

From: "gonzo"
Subject: meyer lemon dropping buds

Once a month I fertilize with miracle-gro, maybe a bit on the strong
side (1 tsp/liter bottle). I did put a 1/8-1/4 inch by 2 inch
houseplant fertilizer stake in the soil about 4 inches away from the
trunk when I noticed the first blossom.. not sure but I think this is
another miracle-gro product, comes in a package of 6-8; only one
inserted.

Leaves look ok, they don't seem to be dropping or turning yellow.
There are.. eleven? blossoms on the tree; one fruit bud (used to be 2),
several of the blossoms are just starting so they are tiny, maybe 3 are
mature blossoms (open). Should I pick off remaining blossoms..?

The tree is in a standard 8 inch terra-cotta clay pot, and stands 32
inches tall. Soil was recently added to the pot to cover some roots
that were exposed last time I watered (Ball brand potting soil, light
fluffy - great stuff).